There may have been nights when your partner preferred his phone over you. Well, you are not the only one who has a phone-addict partner.
Rutuja Sarvade, a consultant with a logistics firm says, "He's either chatting or downloading some new app or just looking at other people's profiles. It annoys me to no end, since it is affecting our love life to a great extent. This has created too many differences between us. I also own a smart phone, but I don't get lost in it."

Malathi Raghuraman, a counsellor, says, "A lot of couples face this issue these days. Phone addicts think bed time is the best for chatting and playing games. However, the ones on the receiving end feel terrible since they are ignored. Sex life indeed goes for a toss for such couples, and the only way out is to attract lost attention."

In fact, counsellors say many couples also fight over group chats, 'likes' and 'shares'.

"My husband is a promo producer with a channel, so he works late hours. However, even after he comes home, he is busy with his phone,
and this hampers our sex life. There have been times when we have not even spoken to each other in bed," says Jyoti Gurav, a homemaker.

Swati Giri, a counsellor who has been working with couples for the past eight years, says, "It's not just couples, even families are bearing the brunt of this advancement in technology. What's alarming is that even older people have fallen prey to this addiction. The virtual world will gradually conquer the real world with its charm; it is for us to recognise our priorities and draw a line between the two." Advocate Sadhana Patil, says, "I have handled cases where one partner wanted a divorce since the other one is a phone addict. The most common reason is that it affects their sex life. Such cases have increased in the past two years."

However, Malathi asks couples to handle the issue with understanding. "The first step is to be a phone addict yourself, which leaves the other person feeling ignored. After this, it's easy to talk it out. In cases where this doesn't work, knocking the person's conscience is a way out. Also, try to lure your partner with small gestures, and when he/she starts responding, point out their mistake and make them realise what they missed out on because of their addiction. Explain to your partner the importance of having a good love life, and how it affects the family as a whole."

If nothing works, simply pursue your hobbies while your partner is on the phone. Also, make sure you are doing it away from your bedroom. This way, your partner will feel your absence. What doesn't deter these phone addicts is your will to adjust. So, once they notice that you have distanced yourself from them, it would make them realise their mistake.

Ways to make it better:

-Try pretending to be a phone addict yourself, this will initiate realisation.

-Talk to your partner about it.

-Try to lure him/her with some gestures, and then talk about how you missed all this.

-Start pursuing your hobby, but stay away from the bedroom. This too will make him/her feel ignored like you do.
-Finally, consult a counsellor or bring the matter to your family's notice.

more from times of india Life & Style

All Comments ()+^ Back to Top

Characters Remaining: 3000

Continue without login

or

Login from existing account

FacebookGoogleEmail

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.